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Fast-Growing Texas Cruise Port Aims to Smooth Traffic Flow

Donna Tunney
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Fast-Growing Texas Cruise Port Aims to Smooth Traffic Flow

The fast-growing Port of Galveston is taking steps to ease the flow of traffic to and from its busy cruise terminals, making it easier for cruisers to access the port, park their cars, and make their way to their terminal.

The port, now the fourth-busiest in the US in terms of cruise arrivals, has seen significant expansion in recent years and is building its fourth cruise terminal.

Will Expand ‘Best Practices’ to Older Terminals

While the glamour of cruising always gets the spotlight, the behind-the-scenes activity at major ports of call is a complicated piece of the industry most cruisers happily ignore. However, port officials continually look for ways to improve access, traffic flow, provision delivery, parking, and other key processes.

At Galveston Wharves, the location of three cruise terminals in the Texas Gulf Coast city, officials are set to expand use of the best practices at the newest terminal, Cruise Terminal 10, to its older terminals, 25 and 28.

In his most recent update message on March 13, 2024, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees pointed to several big changes the port will make to Terminals 25 and 28, and implement at Terminal 16, which is under construction and slated to open in late 2025.

First, the Cruise Terminal 10 complex, home to Royal Caribbean ships, was designed with on-site cruise parking, which cuts down on traffic on Harborside Drive, a busy, five-mile stretch of road that connects the port to Interstate 45.

Galveston Cruise Port
Galveston Cruise Port (Photo Credit: BUI LE MANH HUNG)

On-site parking enables cruisers to drop off their luggage then park nearby. That is not the case currently at Terminals 25 and 28, where mainly off-site lots are available. It means cruise guests make two trips along Harborside Drive, first to drop off luggage, and then again to drive to the parking lot, where they wait for a shuttle to return them to their terminal.

Under the new plan, the port will expand its park-and-walk Express lot, located adjacent to Terminals 25 and 28, allowing more guests to park on-site. The new Cruise Terminal 16 will have two on-site parking lots, one in a parking garage and another with surface parking.

A second change coming to the port addresses the problem of cars lining up to drop off luggage or wait to enter the parking lots for Terminals 25 and 28. At Cruise Terminal 10, multiple lanes are provided inside the complex for these purposes, preventing traffic back-ups on Harborside Drive. 

Going forward, more traffic lanes will be added on the access road to the two terminals, and a new traffic flow will be implemented.

Carnival Vista Cruise Ship in Galveston
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line

The port also will take aim at managing the presence of the provisioning trucks that deliver food and other supplies to cruise ships on turnaround days. The trucks, typically large tractor-trailer style, can hinder the traffic flow into the port.

One solution port authorities are considering for Terminals 25 and 28 is to direct the trucks to a more remote access road, where they would wait their turn to pull up to a terminal for unloading.

Big Profits, Rising Cruise Arrivals Boost Port

The Port of Galveston is growing rapidly, and in January 2024 posted the highest profits in its history, with net incoming soaring 55.4% over the previous year. The port welcomed 1.49 million cruise arrivals in 2023 and is on track to receive 1.6 million in 2024.

In 2023, the port, in partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines, made more than $50 million in improvements to Terminal 25 in preparation for homeporting the line’s new ship Carnival Jubilee.

Earlier this year, it reached an agreement with MSC Cruises to build Terminal 16, which will be the home port for MSC Seascape starting in November 2025. The 5,200-guest whip will be the first in the MSC Cruises’ fleet to be based in Texas.

Cruise Passengers Go Missing In British Virgin Islands

Catie Kovelman
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Cruise Passengers Go Missing In British Virgin Islands

On March 10, 2024, crew members onboard Norwegian Sky sounded the alarm when three passengers didn’t come back after a day in Tortola. With no sign of the missing cruisers, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Department of Immigration is seeking help from the public to locate them. 

Three Cruisers Disappear In Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Cruise ships are generally considered one of the safest forms of travel, and incidents of passengers or crew members going missing or falling overboard are rare. According to Maritime Injury Guide, only around 400 people have gone missing from cruise ships in the past two decades, which is quite low. 

However, three passengers who were sailing on Norwegian Sky went missing during a port call to Tortola on March 10, 2024. Their absence was noticed when they didn’t return to the ship at the end of the day. 

The missing passengers include two women and one man, named Jean Carlo Ospina Cano, Pamela Mesa Escobar, and Yesica Yojana Marin Ramirez. All three missing persons are citizens of Colombia, but it’s unclear how they are related or if they are traveling together. 

As of the time of publication, it’s also unknown if the three passengers missed the cruise ship on purpose or if something happened to them. Local authorities are asking anyone who may know their whereabouts to contact the Department of Immigration.

Missing Cruise Passengers
Missing Cruise Passengers

Generally, the British Virgin Islands are considered to be safe, especially during the daytime. According to the UK government, levels of crime are low, but there have been some incidents. This sentiment is echoed by the Government of Canada, who say the risk level of traveling to the British Virgin Islands is low. 

Norwegian Sky Moves On Without Missing Passengers 

When the missing guests didn’t return at the all aboard time, which was 2:15 p.m. local time, Norwegian Sky was forced to leave them behind – and it is actually quite common for cruise ships to leave tardy passengers behind. 

It’s typically the responsibility of the cruisers to make sure they return on time. Unless guests are taking part in an excursion booked through the cruise line, which cruise lines will wait for, most cruise lines will only wait about 15 minutes before leaving without delayed guests – and even then it’s at the discretion of the captain.

It may sound cruel, but cruise lines have a responsibility to the passengers who do return on time to continue on with the itinerary as planned. Additionally, the longer a ship stays in port, the more fees the cruise line incurs.

Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship
Norwegian Sky Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: EQRoy)

In the case of Norwegian Sky, the 2,004-passenger ship needed to return to La Romana in the Dominican Republic, from where the Sun-class ship has been operating a series of cruises sailing to the Caribbean, Curacao, Aruba, and Barbados. 

Read Also: Social Media Helps Locate Missing Cruise Ship Passenger

The missing Colombian Nationals were onboard a 14-night sailing that also visited destinations like Catalina Island, Dominican Republic; Aruba, Netherlands Antilles; Curacao, Netherlands Antilles; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia Island; St. Johns, Antigua; St. Kitts and Nevis; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten; among others. The trio was meant to disembark with the rest of the passengers when the cruise concluded in La Romana on the following day, March 11, 2024. 

While the search continues locally, the 77,104-gross ton vessel has begun another, slightly shorter, Caribbean voyage, which also started on March 11. This 9-night sailing won’t call on Tortola, but will return to other destinations like Catalina Island, Dominican Republic; Aruba, Barbados, and St. Lucia. 

Royal Caribbean Suspends All Visits to Labadee, Haiti

Melissa Mayntz
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Royal Caribbean Suspends All Visits to Labadee, Haiti

Royal Caribbean is notifying guests on current and upcoming sailings that the cruise line has suspended all calls to Labadee, Haiti due to continuing unrest in the Caribbean country.

This comes just a day after the cruise line started canceling planned tours at the destination to keep guests safe while visiting the private port of call.

Royal Caribbean Cancels All Calls to Haiti

Royal Caribbean International has begun reaching out to guests booked on sailings with visits to its private destination of Labadee, Haiti to notify them that the port will no longer be visited at this time. This follows a recent prison break during which approximately 4,000 inmates escaped from two prison facilities.

“Due to the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we’re temporarily suspending our visits to Labadee for our entire fleet,” the email notifications read.

Safety is always the first priority aboard any cruise ship, whether for inclement weather, such as during hurricane season, due to global tensions, those impacting sailings in the Red Sea, or for crime or violence at a port of call, which is now impacting Labadee.

It should be noted that Labadee is on the nation’s north shore, 128 miles (206 kilometers) from where the prison breaks occurred. While this is approximately a 6.5-hour drive from the private cruise port, and the port area itself is secured with private barriers and additional security, concern has been growing among guests about the safety of visiting the port.

Royal Caribbean Ship in Labadee
Royal Caribbean Ship in Labadee (Photo Credit: Solarisys)

The last ship to visit Labadee at this time has been the 155,889-gross-ton, Freedom-class Liberty of the Seas, which enjoyed a call to the port on Wednesday, March 13.

Oasis of the Seas Among First Ships Impacted

The first ships to be affected by these port cancellations will be Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas, with Labadee visits scheduled on Thursday, March 14; Friday, March 15; and Sunday, March 17, respectively. Each of these cruises is already underway but will adjust en route.

All three vessels will now enjoy an extra day at sea instead of their visits to Labadee. Extra activities, games, and performances will be added to the daily activity schedules to be sure all guests have plenty of fun to enjoy onboard.

In addition, each ship is adding extra time to other ports of call where possible to give passengers extra time ashore to explore other destinations in safety. This can give guests time to take advantage of a longer shore tour or both morning and afternoon tours, or simply provides more time to enjoy local shopping, restaurants, and attractions.

Royal Caribbean's Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean’s Labadee, Haiti (Photo Credit: Solarisys)

Royal Caribbean does note that the suspension of visits to Labadee is intended to be temporary, and future sailings will continue to be evaluated in the days ahead of each visit to make the safest choice for passengers. Upcoming sailings aboard Mariner of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Grandeur of the Seas have already had the port cancelled as well.

“We have suspended calls into Labadee, Haiti for the next 7 days and will continue suspension on a rolling basis with 3 days advance notification to our guests sailing on itineraries impacted and changed as we monitor and evaluate the situation,” explained Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

If guests had booked any pre-paid Royal Caribbean International shore tours for Labadee, full refunds for those excursions will be processed to travelers’ onboard accounts and may be used for onboard purchases, spa treatments, or tours in other ports of call. Any amount remaining at the end of the sailing will be returned to the card on file within 14 business days from debarkation.

Decision Follows Cancellations of Tours at Labadee

It is somewhat surprising that Royal Caribbean has made the decision to outright cancel complete visits to Labadee just one day after cancelling select shore tours at the destination.

While not all tours were cancelled, most options that had any potential to stray from the immediate vicinity of the port – such as jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, etc. – were cancelled. This would dramatically reduce the activity options available for guests and could have created some backlash about the lack of opportunities at the port, while raising questions about how safe a visit could be.

There have been no immediate reports of escalating violence close to Labadee, but in a situation as tense as the one in the troubled country, it is undoubtedly best to be cautious and wait for the situation to cool before resuming visits.

New Benefit Added for Most Loyal Royal Caribbean Passengers

Melissa Mayntz
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New Benefit Added for Most Loyal Royal Caribbean Passengers

Royal Caribbean International has reached out to top tier members of its Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program to notify them of an enhancement to their benefits, one that will allow them to enjoy their cruise vacations with friends, loved ones, and family members.

The new benefits take effect from all sailings beginning Friday, March 15 and onward, just in time for spring break and summer sailings.

New Pinnacle Club Benefit

The most elite Royal Caribbean past passengers – those who have earned 700+ cruise points and are now members of the exclusive Pinnacle Club – will now be able to enjoy a new benefit to share with the special people they sail with, even if those special people are not themselves members of the Pinnacle Club.

“Effective on sailings beginning March 15, 2024, and onwards, each Pinnacle Club member may now bring one guest staying in their immediate stateroom to accompany them into the Suite/Concierge Lounge, Suite Sun Decks, and Coastal Kitchen!” the email announced.

This means that Pinnacle Club passengers who may be traveling with other friends, family members, or loved ones can effectively share their benefits – at least in the limited access capacity – so they can continue to enjoy special moments without sacrificing the benefits they have earned from their cruise line loyalty.

The new guest access can be a great attraction for generational cruise passengers, such as grandparents who may be traveling with their grandchildren, or if a couple is cruising together but each passenger has earned different loyalty levels.

There are some limitations, however. For example, non-Pinnacle Club guests must always be accompanied by a Pinnacle Club member, unless they are also staying in an eligible Suite stateroom. Guests under 21 years old must always be accompanied by an adult.

Royal Caribbean Loyal Passengers
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock

If the guests are Diamond or Diamond Plus members, they can redeem their daily drink vouchers in the exclusive areas, but other guests will have any beverages charged to their respective onboard accounts.

It should be noted, however, that this new guest benefit will not be available at all times, but instead will be based on availability and may vary from cruise to cruise depending on how many high level loyalty passengers are on each sailing.

Capacity Will Vary

The notification email does note when these benefits may not be available. For example, if the eligible number of Suite and Pinnacle Club guests exceeds the venue capacity on a particular sailing, access will be determined by cruise points, and guests will be notified of their access 48 hours before embarkation and will also receive a Welcome Letter with a reminder.

Similarly, access to Coastal Kitchen – Royal Caribbean’s specialty Mediterranean-California fusion restaurant – will be based on space and availability, and reservations are required. Those reservations can only be made once onboard and are not available for pre-booking online or through the Royal Caribbean app.

Royal Caribbean Diamond Lounge
Royal Caribbean Diamond Lounge (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)

One venue that will continue to remain exclusive only to those Crown & Anchor Society members who have earned the privilege is the Crown Lounge (formerly the Diamond Crown Lounge). That venue is only accessible by Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members.

“We are committed to ensuring your cruise experience is exceptional, and we believe these updates contribute to that goal,” the email said. “Thank you for your unwavering loyalty – we look forward to welcoming you onboard as we continue creating unforgettable memories together.”

Read Also: Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society – What You Need to Know

Royal Caribbean has built its brand on family togetherness and cruise vacations that all ages can enjoy together, and these new benefits will permit the most loyal guests to enjoy their loyalty with those whom they love the most – exactly what the cruise line is all about.

Celebrity Cruises Reaches Out to Guests About Itinerary Change

Melissa Mayntz
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Celebrity Cruises Reaches Out to Guests About Itinerary Change

Guests sailing aboard Celebrity Millennium for a stunning “Best of Japan” cruise in March 2025 have been informed of several itinerary adjustments, including the addition of an overnight visit in a new port of call.

Other port times are also adjusted, but as the sailing is over a year away, passengers have plenty of time to review their plans for each destination and make changes as needed to any tour options.

Celebrity Millennium Itinerary Change

Celebrity Cruises has begun to reach out to guests booked on the March 27, 2025 departure of Celebrity Millennium to alert them to itinerary changes for their “Best of Japan” sailing. A new port of call and several port time adjustments are all part of the changes.

Of greatest interest is the addition of an overnight call early in the sailing, which has a slight knock-on effect for later ports of call on the 12-night cruise.

“We are excited to announce that we have added an overnight stay in Kobe, Japan,” the email explains. That overnight stay is from 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 29 to the early morning hours of Sunday, March 30.

To make the next port visit in Kyoto (Osaka), Celebrity Millennium will depart Kobe at 5 a.m., moving over to Kyoto for an 8 a.m. arrival. The two ports of call are just 20 miles (33 kilometers) apart across Osaka Bay.

The ship will depart Kyoto at 3 p.m. rather than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31, as originally planned, but will arrive in Hiroshima at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1. To compensate for arriving in Hiroshima three hours later than the original schedule, the ship will also remain in port three hours later, until 10 p.m., so the overall time in Hiroshima is not shortened.

Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship
Photo Courtesy: Celebrity Cruises

The remaining destinations on the itinerary are not affected. The ship will bring guests to Nagasaki from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 3; Jeju Island in South Korea from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 4; Kagoshima from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 5; and Mt. Fuji (Shimizu) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 7.

The cruise will end as scheduled in Tokyo (Yokohama) on Tuesday, April 8, with no anticipated change to its 6:30 a.m. arrival time. It will take further time for authorities to clear the ship before debarkation can begin, as is standard with any cruise vacation.

Shore Tours Impacted

With the new port of call and different time changes for following destinations, any shore excursions that have been booked through Celebrity Cruises will be automatically rescheduled to comparable times.

If guests have already made independent tour arrangements for this trip, they will need to reach out to their tour operators for rescheduling or cancelling if necessary.

Celebrity Millennium Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: shorex.koss / Shutterstock

Because the cruise is more than a year away, however, any impact to tours is likely to be minimal and guests should not have difficulty adjusting their plans so they don’t miss a minute of the amazing destinations on the itinerary.

Why the Change?

There have been no details provided about why Celebrity Millennium‘s itinerary has been adjusted, but it is not uncommon for cruise lines to tweak itineraries somewhat well in advance of a cruise departure date, especially if new options may become available.

Celebrity Cruises made several similar changes to another “Best of Japan” itinerary aboard Celebrity Millennium, the ship’s June 8, 2024 sailing – those changes were announced in July 2023.

Berth schedules, port management, fuel adjustments, and other factors can all contribute to such itinerary changes. Guest feedback from similar sailings could also prompt itinerary changes for the time in port or the most popular ports to visit.

The 91,000-gross-ton Celebrity Millennium, the oldest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, is based year-round in Asia, offering sailings from Yokohama, Singapore, Mumbai, Incheon, and Benoa, depending on sailing date and cruise length.

The lead ship of the Millennium-class can welcome 2,138 guests aboard for such amazing adventures and is also home to approximately 950 international crew members who work diligently to ensure everyone has a fabulous and memorable cruise vacation.

Billionaire Clive Palmer Revives Titanic II Project

Donna Tunney
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Billionaire Clive Palmer Revives Titanic II Project

An Australian billionaire who pledged more than 10 years ago he would build a replica of Titanic has emerged with an updated plan, after being sidelined by various obstacles that included the pandemic.

In an announcement on March 13, 2024, a theoretical blueprint of the ship was revealed, showing that Titanic II will be as grand as her namesake.

Replica of Titanic to Sail Global Itineraries

Clive Palmer, who made his fortune in the Australian mining industry and who has served as a member of the Parliament of Australia, disclosed plans to revive a long-held goal — the building of a to-scale replica of Titanic, with all of the luxurious details the ill-fated ship offered before sinking on her maiden voyage in 1912.

Palmer is chairman of Brisbane-based Blue Star Line, the cruise line that will build and operate Titanic II, and on March 13, 2024 he announced three business partners had joined the project. They include Deltamarin, a Finnish ship design firm, V. Ships, which provides ship management services, and Tillberg Design, a Swiss interior design firm. 

Palmer did not announce a shipyard, but said the nine-deck vessel would weigh 56,000 gross tons, slightly more than Titanic’s 46,329 gross tons, with a length of 882 feet, one foot shy of Titanic. The new ship will accommodate the same number of guests, 2,435, with the main difference being she will have sufficient lifeboats to carry all passengers and crew.

“We are very pleased to announce that after unforeseen global delays, we have re-engaged with partners to bring the dream of Titanic ll to life. Let the journey begin,’’ said Clive Palmer, chairman of Blue Star Line.

“The government lockdowns sent the cruise industry into a long-term shutdown but shipping is back in full business with passenger numbers now surpassing pre-COVID levels. We are getting the best ship-builders, designers and engineers in the world back on deck to build Titanic ll,’’ Palmer added.

Worth Reading: Titanic Replica Project Resurfaces With 2027 Launch Date

While Titanic was mainly to serve as a scheduled transatlantic liner, Titanic II will eventually sail global voyages in addition to east and westbound service between New York and Southampton, UK, according to Palmer’s plans.

Ship to Feature Three Accommodation Levels

The new ship, which is reported by media outlets to cost between $500 million and $1 billion, will have contemporary safety and navigation systems, and modern technology while offering the opulence of the original Titanic. 

However, not everything will be modernized: Titanic II will be powered by diesel engines, and have four smoke stacks, just like Titanic. That puts the ship at odds with other cruise lines’ trends, and goals, to reduce emissions and become a carbon-neutral industry.

Read Also: The Grandeur of the Titanic Interior Design

Titanic II
Titanic II

Like Titanic, the new vessel will have three classes of accommodation. From a total of 835 cabins, there will be 383 in first class, 201 in second class, and 251 in third class. The bridge of the new ship will be an exact replica of Titanic’s bridge.

“Blue Star Line will create an authentic Titanic experience, providing passengers with a ship that has the same interiors and cabin layout as the original vessel, while integrating modern safety procedures, navigation methods and 21st century technology to produce the highest level of luxurious comfort,’’ Clive Palmer said.

The blockbuster movie, “Titanic,” brought the splendor and lavishness of a first-class voyage to the big screen, and documented the sinking of the ship after its hull was flooded after smashing into an iceberg. The ship broke in half and sank just hours later, killing more than 1,500 people.

Palmer, who announced his plans to revive Titanic II at the Sydney (Australia) Opera House, did not specify a timeline for construction or launch.

New Transportation Option Coming for Port Canaveral Cruisers

Melissa Mayntz
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New Transportation Option Coming for Port Canaveral Cruisers

The high-speed passenger train Brightline has just announced plans for a new station on the Space Coast, just eight miles from Port Canaveral.

This will be an amazing option for travelers hoping to cruise from the popular homeport, and will make the port easily reachable from either Orlando International Airport or south Florida airports in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

New Brightline Station Announced Near Port Canaveral

Brightline and the City of Cocoa have announced a new station for the high-speed rail in Brevard County, at the “Cocoa Curve” where the trains naturally slow to turn from east-west to north-south. That curve is located at the intersection of US 1 and State Road 528 – which, incidentally, is the road that leads directly to Port Canaveral.

“Brightline is ready to begin the formal process with Space Coast stakeholders to fulfill our vision for a Brevard County station,” announced Katie Mitzer, Director of Public Affairs for Brightline.

“The Space Coast [Transportation Planning Organization], Brevard County, city of Cocoa and other community leaders have started to bring the region together to identify potential federal, state and local resources for a station to be located in Cocoa. We agree the time is now to finalize a plan.”

This new station could make it faster and more efficient for travelers to reach the cruise port without relying on lengthy shuttle services or getting stuck in traffic snarls. Orlando International Airport is approximately a 45-60 minute drive from Port Canaveral, depending on traffic, but the train can make that trip in a fraction of the time and isn’t impacted by traffic jams.

This would give passengers more flexibility with their pre- or post-cruise travel arrangements and the timing of flights. Plus, the train’s connections to south Florida, including Fort Lauderdale and Miami, also give cruise guests more options for which airports they may choose, and will encourage more residents of other regions to consider Port Canaveral for their cruise vacation plans.

Brightline Route
Brightline Route (Photo Credit: Markus Mainka)

“The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO) has been focused on increasing regional connections to move people safely and efficiently throughout the state of Florida,” said Georganna Gillette, SCTPO Executive Director.

Port Canaveral is also welcoming to the idea of the new Brightline station and how it can facilitate cruise guests reaching the port.

“We’re projecting over 7 million passenger movements this year, and we are thrilled that our guests will have another transportation option to embark on a cruise from Port Canaveral,” said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.

Read Also: Port Canaveral Voted Best US Cruise Homeport of 2023

Port Canaveral is already a popular homeport for multiple top cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

A new cruise terminal is planned for the port, and in November 2024, Princess Cruises will also begin homeporting from Port Canaveral, bringing even more cruise options for eager travelers.

Funding Yet to Come

While the announcement of the new Cocoa Brightline station is exciting, funding for the project must still be secured and there is no timeline yet for when the new station may be completed, though it is likely to take several years to complete and open for operation.

Cruise Ships at Port Canaveral
Cruise Ships at Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Robert Michaud)

Different funding sources are all being investigated, including state and federal grants, community partners, use of existing tourist taxes, and other options.

“We have pursued a Brightline station since 2016 when we conducted a study that identified the best station location in Cocoa near Clearlake/US1 and SR 528,” said Gillette. “We will continue to work diligently with our community and regional partners to secure funding to build a Brightline station in Cocoa.”

Once complete, the station will be a tremendous asset to the City of Cocoa and the surrounding community with new jobs and economic impact, including the increase in tourism by Brightline riders.

Royal Caribbean Reaches Multi-Year Pact With Vendor

Donna Tunney
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Royal Caribbean Reaches Multi-Year Pact With Vendor

Two major cruise brands owned by Royal Caribbean Group announced new multi-year agreements with OneSpaWorld Holdings, the cruise industry’s leading health and wellness services firm.

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises already had previous contracts in place with the company, which provides a wide range of spa and fitness services.

Multi-Year Pact Features Health, Beauty, Fitness Services

Royal Caribbean’s fleet of 24 ships and sister brand Celebrity Cruises’ 15 ships will continue to offer spa and fitness services provided by the vendor OneSpaWorld Holdings, a Nassau, Bahamas-based company that operates health, wellness, fitness, and beauty services onboard nearly 200 cruise ships worldwide.

The two lines disclosed the new agreements on March 12, 2024, saying the contracts began on January 1, 2024. Neither cruise line revealed the length of the new agreement, but Royal Caribbean has been contracting with OneSpaWorld for more than 30 years. Celebrity Cruises also has a long-standing relationship with the vendor.

“I am delighted to enter into a new multi-year agreement with Royal Caribbean International, expanding upon our more than 30-year relationship. In addition to elevated services and experiences on the current fleet, this agreement grants us the exclusive right to operate on new vessels that come into service during the term, furthering our growth potential,” said Leonard Fluxman, Executive Chairman, CEO, and President of OneSpaWorld.

Fluxman added that he looks forward to continuing his company’s partnership with Celebrity Cruises, too, and said the new agreement “cements our position as the pre-eminent industry leader in the operation of health and wellness centers at sea.”

The Spa on Celebrity Edge
The Spa on Celebrity Edge

The spa operator’s services and products are found on 193 cruise ships and at spas in 50-plus destinations. Providing behind-the-scenes operations and staff, its name is not widely known to guests, since each cruise line independently brands its spas and wellness centers.

On Royal Caribbean ships, the wellness space is known as Vitality Spa, and on Celebrity Cruises’ ships it is simply The Spa. Many other cruise lines have agreements with OneSpaWorld, such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where the spa is called Serene Spa and Wellness, Windstar Cruises, where the spa is known as Windspa, and Silversea Cruises — also a Royal Caribbean Group brand, where the spa is called Zagora Beauty Spa.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also contracts with OneSpaWorld, and in 2022 signed its most recent agreement, a seven-year pact that covers all of the ships in the company’s three brands — Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

New-Builds Are Included in New Spa Contracts

While neither Royal Caribbean nor Celebrity Cruises revealed the length of their new contracts with OneSpaWorld, they did confirm that the agreement applies to existing ships and to any new-builds that enter service during the term of the contract.

Read Also: Icon of the Seas Size Comparison: Facts and Stats

Icon of the Seas in Miami, Florida
Icon of the Seas in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)

In Royal Caribbean’s case, it means that OneSpaWorld is handling spa operations aboard the line’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas —the world’s largest ship with a guest capacity of 7,600. The first of the line’s Icon class, the ship began sailing in January 2024 following her star-studded christening at PortMiami.

OneSpaWorld will also handle spa operations aboard the line’s Utopia of the Seas, an Oasis-class ship due to debut in July 2024, and aboard Star of the Seas, the line’s second Icon-class ship slated to launch in August 2025.

Star of the Seas, under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, made headlines in February 2024, when the line announced the cancellation of her first two scheduled voyages, due to delays at the shipyard.

The cruise line has nixed the maiden voyage, a 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day itinerary scheduled to depart Port Canaveral on August 17, 2025, as well as her second sailing, also to the Eastern Caribbean.

Disney Cruise Line Releases First Real Look at New Destination

Catie Kovelman
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Disney Cruise Line Releases First Real Look at New Destination

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which is Disney’s soon-to-be second private island experience, has become one of the most highly anticipated destinations in the Bahamas for when it opens in June 2024.

After years of planning and preparations, the cruise line has released new photos to give an inside look at what to expect on the island. 

See New Photos Of Disney’s Lighthouse Point Destination

With just about three months to go until Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point welcomes its first guests in June of 2024, Disney Cruise Line is sharing first-look photos of the island’s progress. 

Disney has already shared that its second private destination is meant to be a one-of-a-kind experience that is heavily influenced by Bahamian culture. It’s designed to provide fun and relaxation for every type of traveler, offering attractions from family beaches and interactive water play areas for kids to adult-only beaches and beautiful scenery for hiking. 

But now, the cruise line is going beyond previously released artist renderings by revealing actual photos of their part of the island. The first picture shows the Mabrika Cove Cabanas, which are one of the first things visitors will see when they arrive. 

The cabanas were designed by a local Bahamian artist and feature vibrant colors and patterns. When Lookout Cay opens, they will be available for families to rent to enjoy during their beach day.

Disney Cruise Line's Lighthouse Point
Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point

Part of the allure of visiting Disney’s private spots is that a fresh, flavorful lunch is always included. A photo of one of the locations to eat on the island, True-True Too BBQ, was also shared. One of the first things guests will notice is that shade is provided through what looks like oversized sea shells. 

“From these beautiful decks under the shade of a shell-inspired pavilion, you’ll enjoy some tasty lunch from True-True Too BBQ while taking in the beautiful views of the ocean and sand dunes,” wrote Joey Gaskins Jr., a Disney cast member based in the Bahamas.  

Finally, Disney released an early look at one of Lighthouse Point’s future tram stops, which will conveniently carry guests around the island once completed. The location is still under construction, but will soon be filled with bright colors and nods to Bahamian culture.

Disney Cruise Line's Lighthouse Point
Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point

“Expect hair braiding, merchandise and lots of fun,” Gaskins Jr. said about the spot. 

Earlier this year (January 2024), the cruise line also shared a first look at the outfits Minnie and Mickey Mouse will be donning to greet guests at Lookout Cay, which were inspired by the bright, colorful spirit of Junkanoo, an important festival celebrated in the Bahamas every December. 

How To Visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Lighthouse Point, which is located on the island of Eleuthera, will be Disney’s second private destination in the Bahamas. The first was Castaway Cay, which opened in July of 1998. While Castaway Cay consists of an entire island, Disney will be sharing Eleuthera, which is much larger, with the local community.

Eleuthera is located about 73 miles east of Nassau, or 118 kilometers, and is southeast of Castaway Cay. While it’s only about a 30 minute plane ride from Nassau, the only way to visit the destination is as a guest of Disney Cruise Line. 

The first opportunity guests will have to visit Lighthouse Point will be on June 7, 2024, as part of a 3-night preview cruise onboard Disney Magic, the cruise line’s very first ship. The cruise embarks from Fort Lauderdale in Florida on June 6, and also calls on Nassau before returning to Florida on June 9.

Disney Cruise Line Lighthouse Point
Rendering Courtesy: Disney Cruise Line

Read Also: Disney Cruise Ships: Newest to Oldest

But the actual inaugural sailing will take place aboard Disney Fantasy, which will set sail from Port Canaveral on June 8, 2024. During the 7-night sailing, the 4,000-passenger ship will take guests to Lighthouse Point twice, as well as to Castaway Cay and Nassau. 

After the first official sailing, Disney Magic will offer a series of 3-5-night itineraries that include calls on Lookout Cay, with longer sailings also visiting Castaway Cay.

Disney Dream, which is currently in the midst of her European Season, will also call on the new destination during her transatlantic cruise back to the US at the end of October.

The cruise begins on October 20 in Southampton, England, and is scheduled to reach Lighthouse Point on November 1 as her final stop before disembarking in Fort Lauderdale. From her South Florida homeport, the ship will continue to visit the Bahamian port on multiple short cruises.

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